Requirements from the Graduate Assistant Handbook
Fall & Spring Semesters
Graduate Assistants (GAs) must be registered as full-time students* whether they hold a full-time appointment or a part-time appointment. To be considered full-time, a student must be registered for a minimum of nine (9) credits in each Fall and Spring semester. The student must be registered in courses that lead toward his/her degree.
- Full-time GAs, whose total commitment is 20 hours per week on average, have the option to register for GRAD 601. GRAD 601 is fixed at five (5) credits, so students who register for this course must register for a minimum of four (4) credits in addition to this course.
- Part-time GAs in two different departments, whose total commitment is 20 hours per week on average, have the option to register for GRAD 601. GRAD 601 is fixed at five (5) credits, so students who register for this course must register for a minimum of four (4) credits in addition to this course.
- Part-time GAs, whose total commitment is 10 hours per week on average, have the option to register for GRAD 600. GRAD 600 is fixed at three (3) credits, so students who register for this course must register for a minimum of six (6) credits in addition to this course.
*GAs who are pursuing a Master’s degree and in their final semester before graduation may request a waiver to the full-time status requirement. Note: Must have an active graduation application on file to receive approval. DocuSign form
Summer Session
GAs with appointments during the Summer have the option to register for the graduate assistantship course, GRAD 603. In order to retain FICA-exemption during the Summer, domestic GAs must be registered for at least three (3) credits at all times. GRAD 603 provides two (2) credits towards the three (3) credit requirement.
International Students with F-1, J-1, M-1, or Q-1 immigration status may be FICA-exempt. Students with these statuses have no registration requirements during Summer.
Summer Registration Requirements and Options for Graduate Students: Summer GA FICA (Revised 5.7.24)
Notes Applicable to Fall, Spring, & Summer
- GAs are not billed tuition or fees for GRAD 600, GRAD 601, or GRAD 603;
- GAs receive credit towards full-time status from GRAD 600 and GRAD 601;
- GRAD 600, GRAD 601, and GRAD 603 are not eligible for financial aid, nor are they considered when determining financial aid eligibility;
- GRAD 600, GRAD 601, and GRAD 603 do not appear on transcripts;
- GRAD 600, GRAD 601, and GRAD 603 will appear at registration to be for 0 credits. However, GAs are receiving the proper number of credits (3, 5, and 2, respectively);
Dissertation and Thesis Research
- Master’s thesis research (799) is a variable (2-9) credit course (billed at 1/2 rate), based on the amount of involvement in the University research program.
- Pre-candidacy doctoral dissertation research (898) (for students who have not reached the doctoral candidacy stage) is a variable (3-9) credit course (billed at 1/3 rate), based on the amount of involvement in the University research program.
- Doctoral dissertation research (899) (for students who have reached the doctoral candidacy) is a fixed (9) credit course (billed at 2/9 rate).